Providing for Consideration of H.R. Faa Reauthorization Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Providing for the Operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System; and Providing for Proceedings During the Period From April Through May 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3144, which will bring certainty to the management of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

For generations, the system has provided thousands of Montanans with clean, low-cost energy. Compliance with environmental mandates and litigation, however, threaten our way of life.

The Bonneville Power Administration spent over $700 million to comply with environmental red tape in 1 year alone. Thirty percent of those costs were passed on to taxpayers. A recent court-ordered spill released nearly $40 million of potential hydropower. Approximately 130,000 Montana taxpayers will pay a portion of the costs for this court-mandated spill. This increase is on top of rate hikes of up to 50 percent that western Montana electric co-ops have faced since 2011.

It is time to bring certainty to the operations of the Columbia River System.

Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill, I urge my colleagues to bring some relief to Montana taxpayers and pass H.R. 3144.

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